Multitune music box

ABSTRACT

A multitune music box of the drum and comb type has an improved means for axially shifting the drum to play different tunes. The drum is axially movable on a supporting shaft having a stop for limiting the movement of the drum in one axial direction. The shaft is also axially movable, and a cam and follower limits the axial motion of the shaft in the opposite direction. A first spring between the drum and the cam normally urges the drum against the stop, and a second spring urges the drum against the bias of the first spring to press the first spring against the cam and the cam against the follower. Such spring support of the drum prevents any breaking of comb teeth as the drum and its pins are moved axially to shift tunes.

United States Patent 151 3,638,524 Martin Feb. 1, 1972 [54] MULTITUNE MUSIC BOX Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson [72] Inventor: Paul A. Martin, East Aurora, N.Y. j332 x521 :gg f'g gs i t i ssg [73] Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: July 17, 1970 A multitune music box of the drum and comb type has an im- [211 P 55,849 proved means for axially shifting the drum to play different tunes. The drum is axially movable on a supporting shaft hav- [52] US. Cl ..84/95 ing a Stop for limiting the movement of the drum in axial [51] IL Cl ("of H06 direction. The shaft is also axially movable, and a cam and fol- [58] Field of Search 84/94, 95 mils axial the shaft in direction. A first spring between the drum and the cam nor- [56] References Cited mally urges the drum against the stop, and a second spring urges the drum against the bias of the first spring to press the UNlTED STATES PATENTS first spring against the cam and the cam against the follower. I Such spring support of the drum prevents any breaking of 378,399 2/1888 LEpee ..84/95 comb teeth as the drum and its pins are moved axially to if 4,599,970 9/1891 Van Fleet Paillard et al ..84/95 tunes.

31 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDn-fa H912 3,638,524 sum 1 or 3 29 5" m n I H 27 f 20 A// T FIG. I

INVENTOR. PAUL A- MARTIN BY a m! k M ATTORNEYS lllfilqlllrll LL- INVENTOR. PAUL-- A. MARTIN ATTORNEYS PATENIED FEB 1 2f sum 3 nf's PAUL A MARTIN BY wn 4.5m,

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ATTORNEYS MULTITUNE MUSIC BOX THE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT Multitune music boxes are well known and have used a single, axially movable drum programmed to play different tunes in different axial positions. Such devices have required that the drum be shifted axially only at the end of a tune in a position where none of the pins on the drum would interfere with the comb teeth. Axial movement of the drum in midtune positions could press drum pins against comb teeth with sufficient force to break the pins or the teeth.

This invention involves the discovery of a simple and expedient way of allowing axial shifting of a multitune music box drum at any point in its rotation without damaging the drum pins or comb teeth. The invention includes recognition of the need for such unlimited axial shifting of a multitune music box drum in a toy environment so that children can shift the drum at will without damaging the toy.

The invention aims at simplicity, ruggedness, durability, safety and economy in a foolproof multitune music box that can be shifted at any time. The invention also includes a preferred toy piano arrangedto use such a multitone music box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention multitune music box uses fixed comb and a drum that is rotatable and axially movable on a supporting shaft which in turn is axially movable. A stop limits the movement of the drum in one axial direction on the shaft, and a first spring engages the drum and a surface axially fixed relative to the shaft for normally urging the drum against the stop. variably adjustable means limits the axial motion of the shaft in the direction opposite to the urging of the drum by the first spring, and a second spring urges the drum against the bias of the first spring to press the first spring against the axially fixed surface for normally urging the shaft against the limiting means. Such an arrangement insures that drum pins and comb teeth are not damaged in any midtune shift of the music box.

DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive music box;

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of a toy piano including the inventive music box;

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway end elevational view of the piano of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is the opposite end elevation of the piano of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The inventive music box can be used as an ordinary music box driven by a spring motor or other motor, and can be used in many toys that shift and drive the drum in many different ways. The illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention is a pawl and ratchet actuated drum that is advanced in stepped rotation and axially shifted according to the invention for use in a toy piano so that depression of any key actuates the pawl and advances the drum to play a note of the selected tune. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the inventive music box can be used in other toys, and can be driven and shifted by other mechanisms. A preferred music box is best shown in FIG. 1 and includes fixed comb 11 having teeth 12 that are plucked by pins 13 arranged around the periphery of rotatable drum 14 as is generally known. Axial shifting of drum 14 brings different pins 13 into alignment with teeth 12 to play different tunes as drum 14 is rotated. The invention allows axial shifting of drum 14 at any rotational point without damage to pins 13 or teeth 12, and also provides for stepped or other rotation of drum 14 for use in a toy such as the toy piano illustrated in FIGS.25.

A shaft 15 supports drum 14 and is axially and rotationally movable in bearings 16 and 17. Drum 14 is both rotationally and axially movable on shaft 15. A washer or collar 18 arranged in a groove 19 in shaft 15 forms a stop normally engaging the end 20 of drum [4 to limit the axial motion of drum 14 toward the left as illustrated in FIG. 1. Another washer or collar 21 is arranged in a groove 22 on shaft 15 to form a surface axially fixed relative to shaft 15. A compression coil spring 23 concentric with shaft 15 is preferably preloaded between drum endpiece 20 and washer 21 for normally urging drum 14 against stop washer 18.

A cam 25 is arranged on shaft 15 adjacent washer 21 and has a stepped face engaged by follower 24 that is fixed relative to comb 11 so that cam 25 and follower 24 limit the axial motion of shaft 15 in a direction opposite to the urging of drum 14-by spring 23. Hence, the motion of shaft 15 toward the right as illustrated in FIG. 1 is limited by the engagement of cam 25 with follower 24, and the rotational position of cam 25 to bring various steps of its face into registry with follower 24 variably adjusts the right-hand limit of motion of shaft 15.

At the left end of drum 14 an end piece 26 is formed as a ratchet having a toothed face 27. A pawl 28 has teeth 29 that mesh with the toothed face 27 of ratchet 26 for advancing ratchet 26 and drum 14 in onerotational direction. Pawl 28 includes an arm 30 that is rotationally reciprocated relative to ratchet 26 to advance ratchet 26 one tooth of rotation with each depression of arm 30. Aspring 31 biases pawl 28 to return after each advance of ratchet 26, and the peripheral surface of ratchet 26 has serrations 32 engaged by a spring 33 to hold ratchet 26 against any backward rotation.

Ratchet 26 has a hub 34 extending through pawl 28 and supporting pawl 28, and a compression coil spring 35 concentric with shaft 15 extends between bearing 16 and hub 34 to urge drum 14 against the bias of spring 23. Another compression coil spring 36 extends between bearing 16 and pawl 28 concentrically with spring 35 to urge pawl 28 into engagement with the toothed face 27 of ratchet 26. The total force of springs 35 and 36 is less than the force of spring 23 so that springs 35 and 36 are more easily deformed than spring 23. The force of springs 23, 35, and 36 is also related to the strength of teeth 12 and pins 13 to prevent damage in axially shifting drum 14.

In operation, arm 30 of pawl 28 is depressed repeatedly to advance ratchet 26 one tooth with each depression to rotate drum 14 on shaft 15. Depending on the axial position of drum 14, pins 13 pluck teeth 12 to play one of the tunes programmed into drum 14. To change the tune, cam 25 is rotated on shaft 15 to bring various steps of its face into engagement with follower 24. This moves the right-hand limit of motion of shaft 15 toward either the right or left.

If shaft 15 is forced to the left by adjustment of cam 25, and one of the pins 13 is in position to press against the side of a tooth l2 and interfere with corresponding leftward motion of drum 14, then spring 23 is compressed to allow drum 14 to move relatively to the right on shaft 15 to prevent any damage to the interfering pin and tooth. The difference in force between spring 23 at the right of drum [4 and springs 35 and 36 at the left of drum 14 determine the force of the interference between a pin and tooth in any such leftward motion of shaft 15. Such force is made less than the force required to damage either teeth 12 or pins 13 so that no harm is done in any such leftward motion. When pawl 28 is actuated after such a leftward shift drum 14 rotates to move the interfering pin 13 out of engagement with the interfering tooth 12 and then drum l4 snaps leftward against stop washer 18 under the bias of spring 23 which overcomes the bias of springs 35 and 36. Springs 35 and 36 are then compressed with each leftward motion of drum l4, and are allowed to expand with rightward motion of drum 14, Spring 23 is preferably preloaded between drum endpiece 20 and washer 21 to take advantage of a sub stantially predetermined relationship between spring 23 and springs 35 and 36.

If cam 25 is turned to move the right-hand limiting position for shaft 15 to the right, and one of the pins 13 engages the side of a tooth 12 to interfere with corresponding rightward motion of drum 14, the predetermined combined bias of springs 35 and 36 urges the drum to the right but no relative movement of the drum 14 or shaft occurs, and free play of cam between follower 24 and fixed washer 21 is allowed. The total force of springs 35 and 36 is selected to be less than the damaging force from interference between pins 13 and teeth 12 so that no damage is done. Actuation of pawl 28 to rotate drum 14 then moves the interfering pin 13 away from the interfering tooth l2 and allows springs 35 and 36 to snap drum [4 and shaft 15 rightward to press washer 21 against cam 25 and seat cam 25 against follower 24.

The rightward bias of springs 35 and 36 is sufficient to damage interfering pins and teeth, but is sufficient to seat cam 25 against follower 24, and to urge pawl 28 against ratchet 26. The difference in the greater force of spring 23 to the left in excess of the bias of springs 35 and 36 to the right is also insufficient to damage interfering pins and teeth. This allows adjustment of cam 25 for shifting drum l4 axially to either the right or the left at any point in any tune without damaging any of the pins 13 or teeth 12 so that the music box can be placed safely in childrens toys where restrictions in shifting would be a serious disadvantage,

FIG. 2-5 show the inventive music box '10 arranged in a toy piano 40 which includes end pieces 41 and 42 supporting the working mechanism. The actuation of pawl for stepped advancement of drum 14 as previously described is accomplishedin piano 40 by a movable actuator member 45 that is preferably molded of a single piece of resilient plastic to have an integral hinge 46. A base 44 of actuator member 45 is secured in place in crosspiece 47 extending between end pieces 41 and 42, and because of binge 46, the forward end 48 of actuator member 25 is movable vertically in a pivotal motion. Projection 49 extends downward near the forward region of actuator 45 and engages a foamed resin block 50 that resiliently biases actuator 45 upward. A bar 51 extends downward from actuator 45 closely over the arm 30 of pawl 28 so that when actuator 45 is depressed, bar 51 engages and depresses pawl 28 for advancing drum 14 one step as previously described.

A plurality of keys 52 are preferably molded of a single piece of resin material and joined with integral hinges to a base bar 53 secured to crosspiece 47 so that keys 52-are individually andresiliently depressable. A projection extends downward at the front end of each key 52 to engage a resilient block 55 of foamed resin material for biasing each key 52 upward. The underedge 56 of each key 52 engages the forward end 48 of actuator 45 so that depression of any of the keys 52 depresses actuator 45.

A shaft 54 extending axially of cam 25 serves to turn cam 25 for variable axial adjustment of shaft 15 as previously described. Shaft 58 is rotated by a manually tumable knob 63 extending outward from endpiece 42. Knob 63 is secured to shaft 64 that carries a display 65 visible at the front of piano 40. Display 65 has three faces associated with three different tunes programmed into drum 14. A slot 66 formed on the inside of endpiece 41 carries a spring 67 engaged by detent projections 68 to detent shaft 64 to three, 120 angularly spaced positions. w

A gear 69 is fixed to shaft 64 and recessed into end piece 42 to mesh with idler gear 70 which meshes with idler gear 71, which in turn meshes with gear 72 fixed to shaft 58. Hence, as shaft 64 is turned by knob 63 is and positioned by detent projections 68, cam shaft 58 is correspondingly turned to three positions for stepping the face of cam 25 against follower 24. Turning knob 63 in between 120 detent positions also changes the face of display 65 to associate with each selected tune.

Each depression of a key 52 of piano 40 thus advances drum [4 one step to play at least one note of the selected tune, and knob 63 can be turned at any time to change the selected tune and its corresponding display panel 65 without risking damage to teeth 12 and pi'ns'l3. Hence, the inventive music box lends itself to such a toy environment where a child can shift the tune selection as indiscriminately as he desires, and pound the piano keys as fast or hard as he chooses without damaging the normally delicate music box unit.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive music box unit can be driven in many ways, incorporated into many music boxes, and used in many toys.

I claim:

1. In a multitune music box having a fixed comb and a rotatable drum, an improvement comprising:

a. an axially movable shaft supporting said drum;

b. means for rotating said drum on said shaft; said drum being axially movable on said shaft;

d. stop means for limiting the movement of said drum in one axial direction on said shaft;

e. a first spring engaging said drum and a surface axially fixed relative to said shaft for normally urging said drum against said stop means;

f. means for limiting the axial motion of said shaft in the direction opposite to the urging of said drum by said first spring;

g. means for variably adjusting said shaft-limiting means;

and

h. second spring means urging said drum against the bias of said first spring to urge said first spring against said axially fixed surface for normally urging said shaft against said limiting means. i

2. The music box of claim 1 wherein said second spring is deformed more easily than said first spring.

3. The music box of claim 1 wherein said first spring is preloaded.

4. The music box of claim 3 wherein said first spring is a compression spring concentric with said shaft.

5. The music box of claim 1 wherein said variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower.

6. The music box of claim 5 wherein said cam is a face cam rotatable on said shaft and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.

7. The music box of claim 5 wherein said first spring is arranged between said drum and said cam.

8. The music box of claim 7 wherein said first spring is a preloaded compression spring concentric with said shaft.

9. The music box of claim 5 wherein said cam is in the region of one end of said drum and said second spring means is in the region of the other end of said drum.

10. The music box of claim 1 wherein said second spring means engages a surface fixed relative to said comb.

11. The music box of claim 10 wherein said second spring means is in the region of one end of said drum, and said variably adjusting means is in the region of the opposite end of said drum.

12. The music box of claim 1 wherein said drum rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet.

13. The music box of claim 12 wherein said ratchet is a toothed face disk concentric with said drum on the end of said drum opposite said variably adjusting means, said pawl axially engages said disk, and said second spring means comprises a spring urging said pawl axially into engagement with said ratchet.

14. The music box of claim 13 wherein said second spring means includes a spring axially engaging said drum in addition to said spring axially engaging said pawl.

15. The music box of claim 12 wherein said pawl includes an arm that is rotationally reciprocated relative to said ratchet to advance said drum in stepped rotation.

16. The music box of claim 15 arranged in a toy plane having a plurality of keys, an actuator bar arranged to be moved by depression of any of said keys, and said actuator bar being arranged to operate said pawl to advance said drum.

17. The music box of claim 16 whereinsaid variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower.

18. The music box of claim 17 wherein said cam is a face cam manually rotatable on said shaft, and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.

19. The music box of claim 18 wherein said first spring is a .preloaded compression spring concentric with said shaft and arranged between said drum and said cam.

20. The music box of claim 19 wherein said second spring means is deformed more easily than said first spring.

21. The music box of claim 20 wherein said cam is in the region of one end of said drum and said second spring means is in the region of the other end of said drum.

22. The music box of claim 21 wherein said ratchet is a toothed face disk concentric with said drum in the region of said other end of said drum, said pawl axially engages said disk, and said second spring means comprises a spring urging said pawl axially into engagement with said ratchet.

23. The music box of claim 22 wherein said second spring means includes a spring axially engaging said drum in addition to said spring axially engaging said pawl.

24. The music box of claim 1 arranged in a toy piano having keys arranged to advance said drum in stepped rotation with each depression of one of said keys.

25. The music box of claim 24 wherein said drum rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet and said keys are arranged for operating said ratchet to advance said drum.

26. The music box unit of claim 24 wherein said variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower with manual means on said piano for adjusting said cam.

27. The music box of claim 26 wherein said drum-rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet and said keys are arranged for operating said pawl and ratchet to advance said drum.

28. The music box of claim 27 wherein said cam is a face cam rotatable on said shaft, and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.

29. The music box of claim 28 including a rotatable display having a face associated with each tune of said music box, a knob for rotating said display, and gearing connecting said cam to said display.

30. The music box of claim 27 wherein an actuator bar is arranged to be moved by depression of any of said keys, and said actuator bar is arranged to operate said pawl to advance said drum.

31. The music box of claim 30 wherein said keys are formed of molded resin material and are resiliently joined to a single base bar, foamed resin material is disposed to bias said keys upward, said actuator bar is a molded resin piece having an integral resilient hinge, and foamed resin material is disposed to bias said actuator bar away from said pawl. 

1. In a multitune music box having a fixed comb and a rotatable drum, an improvement comprising: a. an axially movable shaft supporting said drum; b. means for rotating said drum on said shaft; said drum being axially movable on said shaft; d. stop means for limiting the movement of said drum in one axial direction on said shaft; e. a first spring engaging said drum and a surface axially fixed relative to said shaft for normally urging said drum against said stop means; f. means for limiting the axial motion of said shaft in the direction opposite to the urging of said drum by said first spring; g. means for variably adjusting said shaft-limiting means; and h. second spring means urging said drum against the bias of said first spring to urge said first spring against said axially fixed surface for normally urging said shaft against said limiting means.
 2. The music box of claim 1 wherein said second spring is deformed more easily than said first spring.
 3. The music box of claim 1 wherein said first spring is preloaded.
 4. The music box of claim 3 wherein said first spring is a compression spring concentric with said shaft.
 5. The music box of claim 1 wherein said variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower.
 6. The music box of claim 5 wherein said cam is a face cam rotatable on said shaft and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.
 7. The music box of claim 5 wherein said first spring is arranged between said drum and said cam.
 8. The music box of claim 7 wherein said first spring is a preloaded compression spring concentric with said shaft.
 9. The music box of claim 5 wherein said cam is in the region of one end of said drum and said second spring means is in the region of the other end of said drum.
 10. The music box of claim 1 wherein said second spring means engages a surface fixed relative to said comb.
 11. The music box of claiM 10 wherein said second spring means is in the region of one end of said drum, and said variably adjusting means is in the region of the opposite end of said drum.
 12. The music box of claim 1 wherein said drum rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet.
 13. The music box of claim 12 wherein said ratchet is a toothed face disk concentric with said drum on the end of said drum opposite said variably adjusting means, said pawl axially engages said disk, and said second spring means comprises a spring urging said pawl axially into engagement with said ratchet.
 14. The music box of claim 13 wherein said second spring means includes a spring axially engaging said drum in addition to said spring axially engaging said pawl.
 15. The music box of claim 12 wherein said pawl includes an arm that is rotationally reciprocated relative to said ratchet to advance said drum in stepped rotation.
 16. The music box of claim 15 arranged in a toy plane having a plurality of keys, an actuator bar arranged to be moved by depression of any of said keys, and said actuator bar being arranged to operate said pawl to advance said drum.
 17. The music box of claim 16 wherein said variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower.
 18. The music box of claim 17 wherein said cam is a face cam manually rotatable on said shaft, and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.
 19. The music box of claim 18 wherein said first spring is a preloaded compression spring concentric with said shaft and arranged between said drum and said cam.
 20. The music box of claim 19 wherein said second spring means is deformed more easily than said first spring.
 21. The music box of claim 20 wherein said cam is in the region of one end of said drum and said second spring means is in the region of the other end of said drum.
 22. The music box of claim 21 wherein said ratchet is a toothed face disk concentric with said drum in the region of said other end of said drum, said pawl axially engages said disk, and said second spring means comprises a spring urging said pawl axially into engagement with said ratchet.
 23. The music box of claim 22 wherein said second spring means includes a spring axially engaging said drum in addition to said spring axially engaging said pawl.
 24. The music box of claim 1 arranged in a toy piano having keys arranged to advance said drum in stepped rotation with each depression of one of said keys.
 25. The music box of claim 24 wherein said drum rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet and said keys are arranged for operating said ratchet to advance said drum.
 26. The music box unit of claim 24 wherein said variably adjusting means comprises a cam and follower with manual means on said piano for adjusting said cam.
 27. The music box of claim 26 wherein said drum-rotating means comprises a pawl and ratchet and said keys are arranged for operating said pawl and ratchet to advance said drum.
 28. The music box of claim 27 wherein said cam is a face cam rotatable on said shaft, and said follower is fixed relative to said comb.
 29. The music box of claim 28 including a rotatable display having a face associated with each tune of said music box, a knob for rotating said display, and gearing connecting said cam to said display.
 30. The music box of claim 27 wherein an actuator bar is arranged to be moved by depression of any of said keys, and said actuator bar is arranged to operate said pawl to advance said drum.
 31. The music box of claim 30 wherein said keys are formed of molded resin material and are resiliently joined to a single base bar, foamed resin material is disposed to bias said keys upward, said actuator bar is a molded resin piece having an integral resilient hinge, and foamed resin material is disposed to bias said actuator bar away from said pawl. 